architecture of Shusharelic of the Karabakh Khans
In times gone by, each of Shusha’s seventeen neighbourhoods had its own mosque. The Upper Govharagha and Lower Govharagha mosques, commissioned by Govharagha, the daughter of Ibrahimkhalil Khan, and constructed by the esteemed architect Karbalayi Safikhan Karabakhi, renowned for an array of famous architectural landmarks across Karabakh, are set apart from the others due to their magnificence. Karabakhi's influence beyond Shusha to numerous countries can be understood when admiring his 19th-century architectural masterpiece, Saatli Mosque, which has undergone meticulous restoration to save its decorative elements.
Admirers of cultural heritage can explore sites that highlight local greats, such as at Vagif Museum and Mausoleum Complex and Bulbul House. Established in 1982 in memory of Molla Panah Vagif, the vizier of Ibrahimkhalil Khan, a great thinker and figure in Azerbaijani poetry, this magnificent mausoleum was built on Jidir Duzu over the poet’s grave, and later renovated in 2021. Similarly, after restoration works carried out in 2021, Bulbul House was reopened, having been originally built in 1788. The museum now showcases artefacts connected to Bulbul, accompanied by a bust of the renowned singer in the courtyard of the museum.
Located in Shusha, the Mehmandarov Mansion Complex is another noteworthy historical and architectural site. Built by members of the Mehmandarov family in the 18th century, this intriguing collection of buildings consists of large and small residences, a family mosque and a spring. During the restoration works carried out in 2021-2023, contemporary interior elements were harmoniously blended with traditional national motifs to restore the building to its original glory.
